The Farr Side: Meryl Streep, George Clooney have inside track for Oscars

Thursday

Feb 23, 2012 at 12:01 AMFeb 23, 2012 at 11:13 PM

Meryl Streep makes Oscar history with her 17th career Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.”? She is up for Best Actress. If she wins, it will be her third Oscar. Surprise wins may be in store, however, if Jonah Hill or Melissa McCarthy take home Oscars for their supporting role nominations.

David T. Farr

Meryl Streep makes Oscar history with her 17th career Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.”?

She is up for Best Actress. If she wins, it will be her third Oscar.

Surprise wins may be in store, however, if Jonah Hill or Melissa McCarthy take home Oscars for their supporting role nominations.

The 84th annual Academy Awards is telecast Sunday night on ABC.

I’m not surprised Streep is nominated again. She is an incredible actress with an amazing track record of performances. Streep is compelling for a number of reasons, but it’s the diversity of her talent that impresses me most. She can be and do anything, which is why no other woman would have been right in the role of Thatcher. I’ve yet to see the film, but if Streep is in it you can bet it’s got to be good.

Best Actress field is the tightest category. All five nominees were dynamic in their respective roles. Joining Streep are Glenn Close (“Alber Nobbs”), Viola Davis (“The Help”), Rooney Mara (“The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”) and Michelle Williams (“My Week With Marilyn”).

Although Streep is deserving, I hope Davis wins. She did an exquisite job in “The Help,” my favorite movie of 2011. I can see Academy members leaning toward Williams, too. Her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe looked spot-on. She seemed perfect for the part, and America still has a love affair for all things Monroe.